NITDA, NACCIMA Unveil Partnership To Drive Digital Economy, Target 10,000 MSMEs
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have announced a strategic public-private partnership to accelerate Nigeria’s digital economy growth by connecting technology startups with investors, corporate buyers and commercial opportunities.
Under the partnership, NACCIMA will serve as a private-sector investment pipeline and commercial off-taker facilitator for NITDA-backed startups, technology ventures and enterprise financing initiatives.
The collaboration is designed to bridge the gap between government-backed technology innovation and private-sector demand through NACCIMA’s nationwide network of more than 120 city, state and bilateral chambers, as well as industrial conglomerates.
Following the signing of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the alignment of the NITDA–NACCIMA Joint Technical Working Group (TWG), the two institutions are rolling out three priority initiatives.
The TWG is co-chaired by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Special Duties at NITDA, and Dr. Segun H. Olugbile, National Digital Economy Coordinator at NACCIMA.
The first initiative focuses on private-sector mobilisation for DNICE 2026, scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 10 to 12.
Under the arrangement, NACCIMA will organise business-to-business (B2B) deal rooms, mobilise corporate investors and venture capital firms, participate in startup evaluation panels and connect indigenous technology startups with corporate buyers across manufacturing, agribusiness, logistics and services.
The second initiative is the proposed 10,000 AI Enterprise Accelerator, a national programme designed to equip 10,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with practical artificial intelligence tools, digital skills, financial readiness support and market access opportunities.
The third initiative involves a joint digital compliance effort through the proposed launch of a digital trust mark platform. The platform is intended to onboard verified businesses and promote compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, cybersecurity readiness and digital trust, particularly across regional trade corridors under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking on the partnership, NITDA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, said combining government policy leadership with private-sector commercial demand would create new opportunities for growth in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
“Combining government policy leadership with the active commercial demand of the organised private sector creates an unprecedented growth engine for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
“Through NACCIMA, we are ensuring that indigenous startups and tech innovators do not just build solutions, but gain direct access to corporate buyers, domestic capital, and sustainable commercial contracts,” he said.
Similarly, NACCIMA National President, Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, mni, FNSE, FAEng., OON, said the partnership would position Nigerian commerce and industry at the forefront of technology adoption.
He said NACCIMA was committed to serving as a major channel for investment and commercial opportunities for NITDA-supported startups.
“By connecting traditional industries—agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and mining—with innovative digital solutions and 3MTT technical talent, we are driving enterprise productivity and building a resilient, future-ready economy,” Ibrahim said.
To ensure effective implementation, the two institutions have established a Joint Technical Working Group comprising senior officials from NITDA and NACCIMA to coordinate day-to-day operations.
The team is currently finalising the enterprise pipeline, deal-room structures and implementation arrangements ahead of the formal unveiling of the initiatives at DNICE 2026 in Abuja.
Enterprises, corporate investors, technology vendors and startups interested in participating in the B2B deal rooms or the 10,000 AI Enterprise Accelerator can obtain registration updates through NACCIMA’s Digital Economy Desk and NITDA’s official platforms.
